Cessna C-152 II accident near Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1991
On September 29, 1991 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Cessna C-152 II, registered N48806, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (Winss Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE DRIFTING TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTING WITH A WINDSOCK POLE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR A CROSSWIND AND HIS TOTAL LACK OF FLYING EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 1991 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Blue Bell, Pennsylvania · Winss Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna C-152 II
- Registration
- N48806 · no longer on the register · serial 15283379
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A LANDING ON RUNWAY 24 THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS DRIFTING TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT SAID THERE WAS A SLIGHT CROSSWIND [WINDS 240 260 AT 5 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 10 KNOTS]. AS THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT TO THE RIGHT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A GO AROUND AND APPLIED FULL POWER. AS THE AIRPLANE STARTED THE GO AROUND THE PILOT NOTED THE WINDSOCK IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND COULD NOT AVOID STRIKING THE WINDSOCK POLE WITH HIS LEFT WING. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 44 HOURS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 44 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 12 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 2,600 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.